Laser alignment tool adapter

ABSTRACT

An adapter providing increased versatility to a laser alignment tool is disclosed. Accessories of the adapter are disclosed for use with a laser alignment tool which may or may not be self-leveling. The accessories include one or more laser reference diffraction elements, effective to receive an incoming laser reference and produce a laser reference deviated a predetermined angular amount, and various attachment features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to laser alignment tools and in particular, to anadapter providing increased versatility to a self-leveling laseralignment tool.

A variety of survey and carpentry tools has previously employed lasersto improve accuracy and reliability of leveling. To improve the accuracyof such laser alignment tools further, there are several methods toself-level automatically either the laser or a reflective surface withinthe laser alignment tool.

Although these prior art laser alignment tools have been useful fortheir intended purposes, a desire for improvements still remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adapter providing increasedversatility to a self-leveling laser alignment tool when attachedthereto. In one embodiment, the adapter comprises a body having twoopposed wall portions, defining a space therebetween, and a baseportion. The laser alignment tool is releasably mountable in the space.The base portion has a pair of cylindrical though-bores and a pair oforthogonal slotted throughbores. A belt clip is provided to one of thewall portions.

In another embodiment, an adapter providing increased versatility to aself-leveling laser alignment tool providing at least a pair of laserreferences when attached thereto is disclosed. The adapter comprises abody having two opposed wall portions defining a space therebetween anda base portion. The laser alignment tool is releasably mountable in thespace. A belt clip is provided to one of the wall portions. An arm isalso provided to one of the wall portions. The arm is moveable between astowed position and an extended position. The arm has a prism, whereinthe prism deviates one of the pair of laser references when situated inthe extended position.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be morefully understood from the following description of the variousembodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanyingdrawing. It is noted that the scope of the claims is defined by therecitations therein, and not by the specific discussion of features andadvantages set forth in the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is front view of one embodiment of an adapter provided with amovable laser reference deviation accessory and belt clip provided onthe sides thereof, and being shown with a laser alignment tool to showthe details for snapping the adapter to the housing of the laseralignment tool.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front views of the adapter of FIG. 1accommodating the laser alignment tool and provided with a laserreference deviation accessory that is slidably mounted to the side ofthe adapter.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool and provided with a laser reference deviation accessorythat is rotatably mounted to the side of the adapter, and having aplurality of interchangeable prisms providing various angles ofdeviation from a horizontal plane of a laser reference from laseralignment tool.

FIG. 4A is a side view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool and provided with a laser reference deviation accessorythat is rotatably mounted to the side of the adapter, the laserreference deviation accessory having a lens or prism that may be rotatedto change the direction of the deviated laser reference from the laseralignment tool.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the adapter of FIG. 4A showing adjustablelegs such that the laser alignment tool adapter may be situated on pipesof various diameters.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of an adapter for holding alaser alignment tool, and providing a base having opposing bottom sidecurvatures to accommodate pipes of various diameters. The base beingadapted to be removed, flipped over, and remounted to the adapter.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool, and having a pair of rotatably mounted legs toaccommodate pipes of various diameters, and also illustrated a hangingaccessory by which the adapter and laser alignment tool may be suspendedtherefrom.

FIG. 7A is a side view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool that is adapted to be mounted to a tripod.

FIG. 7B is a front view of the adapter of FIG. 7A, and illustrates thata provided horizontal slotted throughbore is sized to accommodate astrap.

FIG. 7C is a side view of the adapter of FIG. 7A, and illustrates that aprovided pair of cylindrical throughbores is sized to accommodateconventional screws having a shank diameter up to about ¼ inch.

FIG. 8A is a side view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool provided with a pair of keyhole shaped throughbores and apair of orthogonal slotted throughbores or toggle slots, and providedwith a wall mounting accessory by which the adapter and laser alignmenttool may be suspended therefrom.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A, showing the toggleslots being used to accommodate a hook of a bungee cord or strap, andhaving a v-groove back portion suitable to accommodate pipes havingvarious diameters ranging from ½ inch to about 6 inches and to which theadapter and laser alignment tool may be secured.

FIG. 9A is a front view of another embodiment of an adapter for a laseralignment tool that has base portion and an upper portion that rotaterelative to each other.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the adapter of FIG. 9A without the laser leveland showing an azimuth scale and reference mark.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

While the invention may be susceptible to various embodiments indifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will bedescribed in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding thatthe present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention, and is not intended to limit the inventionto that as illustrated and described herein.

Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the drawing are illustratedfor simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawing maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of the various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows generally one illustrative embodiment of a compactself-leveling laser alignment tool for projecting plumb and level laserreferences for precise alignment. By “laser reference” or “laserreferences” it is meant to include projected laser beams, laser points,laser lines, laser cross-lines, laser planes, and combinations thereof.One suitable compact laser alignment tool is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,075,977, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Thedisclosure of that patent is incorporated herein by reference. Thepresent invention is used in conjunction with such a compact batteryoperated laser alignment tool of the type described in the abovementioned patent as well as with other multi-beam self-leveling and somemanually leveled laser instruments. Such a generic laser alignment toolcan be considered as generally shown by 10 in FIG. 1.

As shown by FIG. 1, the laser alignment tool 10 projects at least twolaser references 12 and 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the laserreferences 12 ands 14 are projected simultaneously at 90° to each other.When the laser alignment tool 10 is used in the upright position, theprojected laser references 12 and 14 are level in the horizontal planeand make a precise right angle as needed in construction applications.In other laser alignment tools, additional laser references 16 and 18may be provided that project laser references that are perpendicular(i.e., plumb) to the horizontal plane when the laser alignment tool 10is in the upright position, such as is shown, and combinations thereof.

As also shown by FIG. 1, a front view of one embodiment of an adapteraccording to the present invention, which is generally indicated bysymbol 20. As discussed herein, the adapter 20 provides addedversatility to the held laser alignment tool 10. In one embodiment, theadapter 20 is provided with a laser reference deviation accessory,generally indicated by symbol 22, and a belt clip 24. The laserreference deviation accessory 22 and belt clip 24 are provided on sidesor wall portions 26 and 28 of the adapter 20. Details or contours of aninterior surface 30 of the adapter 20 is so shaped such that the laseralignment tool 10 snaps or snuggly fits into a space, generallyindicated by symbol 32, provided between the wall portion 26 and 28,such as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. It is to be appreciated that thelaser alignment tool 10 is therefore releasably mountable in the space32 provided by the adapter 20.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front views of the adapter 20 of FIG. 1accommodating the laser alignment tool 10. As best shown by FIG. 2A, thelaser reference deviation accessory 22 comprises an arm 32 and a lens orprism 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 32 is slidably mountedto the wall portion 26 of the adapter 20. The arm 32 is moveable betweena stowed position and an extended position, which is illustrated by thedashed lines in FIG. 2A. It is to be appreciated that the prism 34deviates one of the pair of laser references, such as reference 12, apredetermined angular amount α from the laser references normal path,which defines a horizontal plane 36, when the arm 32 is situated in theextended position. The predetermined angular amount α of prism 34 is anangle in the range from about 1 degree to about 45 degrees.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of the adapter 20according to the present invention provided with a laser referencedeviation accessory 22 that is rotatably mounted to the side wallportion 26 of the adapter. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 32rotates between the stowed position and the extended position. Inanother embodiment, the arm 32 releasably secures the prism 34.Accordingly, the adapter 20 may having a plurality of interchangeableprisms 34′, 34″ each providing a different angle α of deviation. Inanother embodiment, the adapter 22 is provided with a storage space 36for holding the extra prisms 34′ and 34″.

In other embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4A, the arm 32 of the laserreference deviation accessory 22 rotatably mounts the prism 34. In thisembodiment, the prism 34 that may be rotated 360° degrees such that thelaser reference, deviated the predetermine angle α, may be projected ina desired direction.

Turning back to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B and as illustrated, the two opposedwall portions 26 and 28 are provided as part of a body 40 which furtherincludes a base portion 42. It is to be appreciated that in oneembodiment, the base portion 42 has a height that places that the bottomsurface of the laser alignment tool 10 when held by the adapter 20 atapproximately the height of a standard wall track of about 1⅝″. In otherembodiments, other base portion dimensions to accommodate non-standardwall track heights may be also provided.

In one embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2A, the base portion 42 aplurality of magnets 44 situated about a bottom surface 46 thereof. Suchmagnets 44 are useful in securing the laser alignment tool 10 when heldin the adapter 20 to a magnetically attractive surface 48, such as ametal beam, metal wall, and the like, thereby increasing the versatilityof the laser alignment tool. Additional magnets 50 and 52 in otherembodiments may be provided to upper and back sides of each wall portion26 and 28 of the adapter 20 for similar purposes.

In another embodiment, the base portion 42 of the adapter 20 is providesa v-shaped or v-groove bottom 54, which is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B.As illustrated by FIG. 2B, the v-groove bottom 54 is so shaped that theadapter 20 and the held laser alignment tool 10 may be situated securelyon to a pipe 56 having a variable diameter range from about ½ inch toabout 6 inches. The v-groove bottom 54 in one embodiment has a pluralityof magnets 44 (FIG. 2A) to securely mount the adapter 20 and the heldlaser alignment tool 10 to the pipe 56. Other manners of securelymounting the adapter 20 and the held laser alignment tool 10 to pipes ofvarious diameters is illustrated by FIGS. 4B, 5, and 6.

As shown by FIGS. 4B and 6, the base portion 42 of the adapter 20comprises a pair of legs 58 which are movable relative to each other. Inthe embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4B, the legs 58 slide in and outrelative to each other, and in the embodiment shown by FIG. 6, the legs58 rotate in and out relative to each other. Each said pair of legshaving magnets 60. In such an arrangement, the legs 58 are thereforemoved such that they may be adjusted accordingly such that the magnets60 securely engage the pipe 56.

In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5, the base portion 42 isreleasably mounted to the wall portions 26 and 28 via a tongue andgroove arrangement, generally indicated by symbol 62. In particular, thebase portion 42 of the adapter 20 on first and second bottom sides 64and 66 is provided with groove portions 68 which releasably mounts totongue portions 70 provided at ends of the wall portions 26 and 28. Itis to be appreciated that the first bottom side 64 has first and secondsurface curvatures 72 and 74, respectively, and the second bottom side66 has third and fourth surface curvatures 76 and 78, respectively.

Each of the surface curvatures 72, 74, 76, and 78 matches a variablepipe curvature range of about ½ inch to about 6 inches. Accordingly, thebase portion 42 may be flipped over such that either the first bottomside 64 or the second bottom side 66 can be used to accommodate pipes 56of various sizes. Other securing features provided by the adapter 20 areillustrated by FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, and 8B, which further increasethe versatility of the held laser alignment tool 10 and which arediscussed hereafter.

A hanging accessory, generally indicated by symbol 80, is shown by FIG.6. The hanging accessory 80 includes an attachment plate 82 mounted to asupport 84. The plate 82 is metal such that the upper magnets 50 of theadapter are attracted thereto. Alignment grooves 86 may be provided inthe plate 82 such that the adapter 20 and the held laser alignment tool20 may be situated in a desired orientation. In still anotherembodiment, a tongue and groove attachment arrangement, such asillustrated in FIG. 5 between the wall portions 26 and 28 and baseportion 42, may be also provided between the adapter 20 and the plate82.

The support 84 may be mounted to a ceiling or beam (not shown) in anyconventional manner. In one embodiment, the support 84 is rotatablymounted to the plate 86, such that the plate may be rotated 360° andheld in a desired position. Friction or a lock between the support 84and plate 82 may be used to hold the adapter 20 and the held laseralignment tool 10 in the desired position when attached thereto.

FIG. 7A is a side view of another embodiment of the adapter 20 that isadapted to be mounted to a tripod 88. In one embodiment, a thread barrelor nut 90 is provided in the base portion that attaches to a knurledscrew 92 of the tripod. In still another embodiment, a hole 91 is alsoprovided in the base that accommodates a close fit to a ⅝–11 tripod.Additionally, the base portion 42 is provided with a horizontal slottedthroughbore 94 that is sized to accommodate a strap 96 having a width upto about 2 inches, as illustrated by FIG. 7B. Another slottedthroughbore 98 is provided orthogonal to the horizontal throughbore 94for added mounting versatility.

Furthermore as illustrated by FIG. 7C, a pair of cylindricalthroughbores 100 and 102 is provide to the base portion 42, and each aresized to accommodate conventional screws 104 having a shank diameter upto about ¼ inch. Such screws, such as standard 1⅝″ drywall screws, canbe placed in the cylindrical throughbores 100 and 102, and drilled intoa wall, stud, or beam using a standard drywall screw bit held in antypical drill extension or quick chuck to secure the adapter 20 thereto.It is to be appreciated that in one embodiment the cylindricalthroughbores 100 and 102 are sized also to accommodate such a quickchuck bit such that the 1⅝″ drywall screws will extend out the other endof the cylindrical throughbores about 0.8 of an inch.

FIG. 8A is a side view of another embodiment of the adapter 20 accordingto the present invention. As shown, the base portion 42 of the adapter20 is provided with the pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores 94 and98 provided in a T-shaped or toggle slot arrangement. Such a T-shapedarrangement of slotted throughbores 94 and 98 allows a user to move astrap from a horizontal position to a vertical position, or vice versa,without the need for removing a held strap. The base portion 42 is alsoprovided with a pair of keyhole shaped throughbores 101 and 103. Eachkeyhole shaped throughbore 101 and 103 is sized such that the adapter 20may be hung from a conventional screw shank with the head of the screwpassing into a cylindrical portion 105 of the throughbore and the shankof the screw resting securely in an arc portion 107 of the throughbore.

The adapter 20 is also shown with a wall mounting accessory 106 by whichthe adapter and laser alignment tool may be suspended therefrom byincluded magnets 44 situated in the base portion 42 on a vertical side.The wall mounting accessory 106 has a larger plate portion 111 uponwhich to position the adapter 20, and an angle wall molding 113. In oneembodiment, the angle wall molding measures ⅞″ by ⅞″, and has eyelets115 by which to fasten the wall mounting accessory to a wall, stud, orbeam. The eyelets in one embodiment are sized to accommodate standarddrywall screws. The base portion 42 and the upper wall portions 26 and28 are rotatable relative to each other, as indicated by the arrows. Inparticular, a swivel joint 114 is provided between the base portion 42and the upper wall portions 26 and 28 to permits 360° of rotation. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the swivel joint 114 is offset from themiddle of the base portion 42 such that the laser alignment tool whenheld in the adapter 20 and mounted to the wall mounting accessory 106,the laser alignment tool 20 may rotate 180° without interference fromthe wall mounting accessory 106.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A, showing the togglesslots 94 and 98 being used to accommodate a hook 110 of a bungee cord orstrap 112. The hook 110 fits into the lower toggle slot 94 and isaccommodated around a curved portion 115 provided at one end of thelower toggle slot (FIG. 8A). Also shown by FIG. 8B, is the base portion42 having a v-groove back 113 suitable to accommodate pipes havingvarious diameters ranging from ½ inch to about 6 inches and to which theadapter and laser alignment tool may be secured.

FIG. 9A is a front view of another embodiment of the adapter 10according to the present invention. As shown, the base portion 42 andthe upper wall portions 26 and 28 are rotatable relative to each other,as indicated by the arrows. In particular, the swivel joint 114 isprovided centered between the base portion 42 and the upper wallportions 26 and 28 to permit 360° of rotation therebetween. A top viewof the adapter 20, without the laser alignment tool 10 held thereby, isshown by FIG. 9B. As illustrated and in this embodiment, an azimuthscale 116 is provided to the base portion 42. A reference mark 118 isalso provided and is centered between the upper wall portions 26 and 28,such that upon rotation of the wall portions, displacement of the laserreferences 12 and 14 (FIG. 1) from a reference on the base portion 42can be determined.

It is to be appreciated that in the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1,2A, 2B, 3, and 4A, 4B, and 6, the base portion 42 is integral with theopposed wall portions 26 and 28. In the embodiments of FIG. 5, the baseportion 42 is releasably mounted to the opposed wall portions 26 and 28.In the embodiments of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B the baseportion 42 is rotatably mounted to the wall portions 26 and 28.

The above described embodiments are intended to illustrate theprinciples of the invention, not to limit its scope. Other embodimentsin variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

1. An adapter providing increased versatility to a self-leveling laseralignment tool providing at least a pair of laser references whenattached thereto, said adapter comprising: a body having two opposedwall portions defining a space therebetween and a base portion, thelaser alignment tool being releasably mountable in said space, and saidbase portion having a pair of cylindrical thoughbores and a pair oforthogonal slotted throughbores, said pair of orthogonal slottedthroughbores are sized to accommodate a strap having a width up to abouttwo inches; and a belt clip provided to one of said wall portions.
 2. Anadapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said base portion provides aplurality of magnets.
 3. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein saidbase portion provides at least one of a v-groove bottom and a v-grooveback.
 4. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said base portionprovides a v-groove bottom having a plurality of magnets.
 5. An adapteras recited in claim 1, wherein said base portion is integral with saidopposed wall portions.
 6. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein saidbase portion rotatably mounts to said wall portions.
 7. An adapter asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base portion provides a v-groove bottomadapted to be situated on a pipe having a diameter in the range fromabout ½ inch to about 6 inches.
 8. An adapter as recited in claim 1,wherein said base portion is mountable to said wall portions via atongue and groove arrangement.
 9. An adapter as recited in claim 1,wherein said base portion is mountable to said wall portions via atongue and groove arrangement provided to first and second bottom sides,said first bottom side having first and second curvatures, and saidsecond bottom side having third and fourth curvatures, whereby said baseportion is adapted to be flipped over to accommodate various pipe sizes.10. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said wall portions providemagnets.
 11. An adapter as recited in claim 1, further comprises magnetsprovided at an upper surface of each wall portion.
 12. An adapter asrecited in claim 1, further comprises magnets provided at an uppersurface and a side surface of each wall portion.
 13. An adapter asrecited in claim 1, wherein said base portion has a swivel joint forpermitting rotation of said wall portions and an azimuth scale, wherebyupon rotation of said wall portions displacement of the laser referencesfrom a reference on said base portion can be determined.
 14. An adapteras recited in claim 1, wherein said base portion is adapted to mount toa tripod.
 15. An adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein the laseralignment tool is releasably mountable in said space by a snap fit. 16.An adapter providing increased versatility to a self-leveling laseralignment tool providing at least a pair of laser references whenattached thereto, said adapter comprising: a body having two opposedwall portions defining a space therebetween and a base portion, thelaser alignment tool being releasably mountable in said space, and saidbase portion having a pair of legs movable relative to each other, apair of cylindrical thoughbores, and a pair of orthogonal slottedthroughbores; and a belt clip provided to one of said wall portions. 17.An adapter providing increased versatility to a self-leveling laseralignment tool providing at least a pair of laser references whenattached thereto, said adapter comprising: a body having two opposedwall portions defining a space therebetween and a base portion, thelaser alignment tool being releasably mountable in said space, and saidbase portion having a pair of legs movable relative to each other, eachsaid pair of legs having magnets, a pair of cylindrical thoughbores, anda pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores; and a belt clip provided toone of said wall portions.
 18. An adapter providing increasedversatility to a self-leveling laser alignment tool providing at least apair of laser references when attached thereto, said adapter comprising:a body having two opposed wall portions defining a space therebetweenand a base portion, the laser alignment tool being releasably mountablein said space, and said base portion having a pair of cylindricalthoughbores and a pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores, said pair oforthogonal slotted throughbores are sized to accommodate a strap havinga width up to about two inches; and a belt clip provided to one of saidwall portions, wherein said base portion provides magnets and ismountable to said wall portions via a tongue and groove arrangementprovided to first and second bottom sides, said first bottom side havingfirst and second curvatures, and said second bottom side having thirdand fourth curvatures, whereby said base portion is adapted to beflipped over to accommodate various pipe sizes.
 19. An adapter providingincreased versatility to a self-leveling laser alignment tool providingat least a pair of laser references when attached thereto, said adaptercomprising: a body having two opposed wall portions defining a spacetherebetween and a base portion, the laser alignment tool beingreleasably mountable in said space, and said base portion having a pairof cylindrical thoughbores and a pair of orthogonal slottedthroughbores, said pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores are sized toaccommodate a strap having a width up to about two inches; a belt clipprovided to one of said wall portions; and an arm provided to one ofsaid wall portions, said arm being moveable between a stowed positionand an extended position, said arm having a prism, wherein said prismdeviates one of the pair of laser references when situated in saidextended position, wherein said arm is slidable between said stowed andextended positions.
 20. An adapter providing increased versatility to aself-leveling laser alignment tool providing at least a pair of laserreferences when attached thereto, said adapter comprising: a body havingtwo opposed wall portions defining a space therebetween and a baseportion, the laser alignment tool being releasably mountable in saidspace, and said base portion having a pair of cylindrical thoughboresand a pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores, said pair of orthogonalslotted throughbores are sized to accommodate a strap having a width upto about two inches; a belt clip provided to one of said wall portions;and an arm provided to one of said wall portions, said arm beingmoveable between a stowed position and an extended position, said armhaving a prism, wherein said prism deviates one of the pair of laserreferences when situated in said extended position, wherein said arm isrotatable between said stowed and extended positions.
 21. An adapterproviding increased versatility to a self-leveling laser alignment toolproviding at least a pair of laser references when attached thereto,said adapter comprising: a body having two opposed wall portionsdefining a space therebetween and a base portion, the laser aliment toolbeing releasably mountable in said space, and said base portion having apair of cylindrical thoughbores and a pair of orthogonal slottedthroughbores, said pair of orthogonal slotted throughbores are sized toaccommodate a strap having a width up to about two inches; a belt clipprovided to one of said wall portions; and magnets provided at an uppersurface of each wall portion, and a plate to which said magnets attach,said plate being adapted to be suspended.
 22. An adapter providingincreased versatility to a self-leveling laser alignment tool providingat least a pair of laser references when attached thereto, said adaptercomprising: a body having two opposed wall portions defining a spacethere between and a base portion, the laser alignment tool beingreleasably mountable in said space; a belt clip provided to one of saidwall portions; and an arm provided to one of said wall portions, saidarm being moveable between a stowed position and an extended position,said arm having a prism, wherein said prism deviates one of the pair oflaser references when situated in said extended position.
 23. An adapteras recited in claim 22, wherein said prism deviates the laser referencea predetermined amount in the range from about 1 degree to 45 degrees.24. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said base portionprovides a plurality of magnets.
 25. An adapter as recited in claim 22,wherein said base portion provides a v-groove bottom.
 26. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, wherein said base portion provides a v-groovebottom having a plurality of magnets.
 27. An adapter as recited in claim22, wherein said base portion is integral with said opposed wallportions.
 28. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said baseportion rotatably mounts to said wall portions.
 29. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, wherein said base portion provides a v-groovebottom adapted to be situated on a pipe having a diameter in the rangefrom about 1 inch to about 4 inches.
 30. An adapter as recited in claim22, wherein said base portion provides at least one slotted throughboresized to accommodate a strap.
 31. An adapter as recited in claim 22,wherein said base portion provides two slotted and orthogonalthroughbores.
 32. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said baseportion provides a pair of legs movable relative to each other.
 33. Anadapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said base portion provides apair of legs movable relative to each other, each said pair of legshaving magnets.
 34. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said baseportion is mountable to said wall portions via a tongue and groovearrangement.
 35. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said baseportion is mountable to said wall portions via a tongue and groovearrangement provided to first and second bottom sides, said first bottomside having first and second curvatures, and said second bottom sidehaving third and fourth curvatures, whereby said base portion is adaptedto be flipped over to accommodate various pipe sizes.
 36. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, wherein said base portion provides magnets and ismountable to said wall portions via a tongue and groove arrangementprovided to first and second bottom sides, said first bottom side havingfirst and second curvatures, and said second bottom side having thirdand fourth curvatures, whereby said base portion is adapted to beflipped over to accommodate various pipe sizes.
 37. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, wherein said arm is slidably between said stowedand extended positions.
 38. An adapter as recited in claim 22, whereinsaid arm is rotatable between said stowed and extended positions.
 39. Anadapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said wall portions providemagnets.
 40. An adapter as recited in claim 22, further comprisesmagnets provided at an upper surface of each wall portion.
 41. Anadapter as recited in claim 22, further comprises magnets provided at anupper surface and a side surface of each wall portion.
 42. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, wherein said base portion has a swivel joint forpermitting rotation of said wall portions and an azimuth scale, wherebyupon rotation of said wall portions displacement of the laser referencesfrom a reference on said base portion can be determined.
 43. An adapteras recited in claim 22, wherein said base portion is adapted to mount toa tripod.
 44. An adapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said baseportion provides a pair of cylindrical though-bores.
 45. An adapter asrecited in claim 22, further comprises magnets provided at an uppersurface of each wall portion, and a plate to which said magnets attach,said plate being adapted to be suspended.
 46. An adapter as recited inclaim 22, further comprises a tongue and groove attachment arrangementprovided between a plate and said adapter.
 47. An adapter as recited inclaim 22, wherein the laser alignment tool is releasably mountable insaid space by a snap fit.
 48. An adapter as recited in claim 22, whereinsaid prism is a plurality of interchangeable prisms each adapted todeviate the laser reference a different predetermined amount.
 49. Anadapter as recited in claim 22, wherein said prism is rotatably mountedto said arm.